a tricky stage

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a tricky stage" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a difficult or challenging phase in a process, situation, or development. Example: "Navigating the transition from childhood to adolescence can be a tricky stage for many young people."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

I think I'm at a tricky stage… it's quite a hard age and quite difficult to find good roles.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

With a CV that already includes the BBC costume-drama Miss Austen Regrets and a forthcoming film version of Jane Eyre, Imogen Poots is well aware that she's at a tricky stage in her development.

Independent

The government in Beijing was angered by the Bermuda move, viewing it as an attempt to undermine confidence in Hong Kong during a tricky stage of the handover negotiations.

The Economist

Adolescence, as we all know, is a tricky stage in life – youngsters are working hard at school, they're having first relationships and they're often very concerned about fitting in".

The Guardian

The all-too-human hero, a devoted family man at a tricky stage of midlife, is also sorely tempted by the "sweet sugar talk" of a Southern honey named Juanda.

The New York Times - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The early buzz Time Out showed its enthusiasm through the medium of pun: "The show is ready to take off … with the National Theatre presumably having worked though any tricky staging issues it might have faced featuring a floating woman as the show's main protagonist.

Independent

He had never performed in — or even seen — the Met's stylized 2005 production by Guy Joosten, which has a few tricky staging turns, including a love scene on a flying bed.

The New York Times - Arts

5.51pm BST Route dilemma We're at that tricky stage again, where a choice has to be made about routes to take to Denver.

The Guardian

She admits that there was a tricky "smelly stage" during which she could do little but wear a head scarf, but claims that, over time, her (unarguably now lovely) hair became thicker, healthier and shinier as a direct result of not washing it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In that tricky stage moment, Moore leaned in and had a tender way with him.

The New Yorker

"We're getting to the tricky stage where it actually matters," he said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a tricky stage" to describe not only periods of time but also specific steps in a process or project that require careful navigation.

Common error

Avoid using "a tricky stage" without specifying the nature of the difficulty. General use can make your writing vague and uninformative. Instead, clarify what makes the stage "tricky".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a tricky stage" functions as a descriptive noun phrase, typically modifying a broader subject by specifying a particular phase or point characterized by difficulty or requiring careful handling. Ludwig examples illustrate its usage in contexts ranging from personal development to negotiation processes.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a tricky stage" is a descriptive phrase used to characterize a phase, period, or juncture that is difficult or requires careful handling. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct and found in a variety of sources, with a concentration in news and media. While not exceptionally common, its usage is appropriate across different contexts, though specifying the nature of the "trickiness" is generally advisable for clarity. Alternatives such as ""a challenging phase"" or ""a delicate juncture"" can provide similar meaning with slight shifts in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a challenging phase

Replaces 'tricky' with 'challenging', focusing on the difficulty involved.

a difficult period

Substitutes 'stage' with 'period', emphasizing the duration of the challenging time.

a delicate juncture

Uses 'delicate' instead of 'tricky' and 'juncture' in place of 'stage', highlighting the sensitivity of the situation.

a sensitive phase

Emphasizes the need for careful handling during the specific time.

a precarious moment

Highlights the instability and potential risk involved in that time.

a problematic phase

Directly states that there are issues present during the particular time.

a knotty period

Uses 'knotty' to describe the complicated nature of the time.

a complex phase

Replaces 'tricky' with 'complex', emphasizing the many interconnected aspects of the time.

a critical juncture

Highlights the importance and potential consequences of this time.

a tough period

Simply states that the time is difficult.

FAQs

How can I use "a tricky stage" in a sentence?

You can use "a tricky stage" to describe a challenging phase in a process, project, or someone's life. For example, "Adolescence, as we all know, is "a tricky stage" in life".

What are some alternatives to "a tricky stage"?

Alternatives include "a challenging phase", "a difficult period", or "a delicate juncture", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "a tricky stage"?

It's appropriate when describing a situation, process, or period that requires careful navigation due to potential difficulties, sensitivities, or complexities.

What does "a tricky stage" imply?

It implies that there are potential pitfalls, challenges, or delicate aspects that need to be carefully considered and managed during that particular phase or time.